Removable sanitary pipe coupling



July 4, 1944. H. w. CHENEY 2,353,012

REMOVABLE SANITARY PIPE COUPLING Filed March 10, 1941 BY @www fw ship. v A Conventionally,'the flange of the coupling nut Patented July 4, 1944 vci TENT 4OFFICE 2,353,012 REMovABLEf SANITARY PIPE COUPIJNG l Harold W. Cheney, Little lialls, N. lY., assigner to Cherry-Burrell Corporation, l Chicago, Ill., c a,

Application March 10, 1941, Serial No.v 382,492 9 claims. ci 285-122) This invention relates to improvementsin pipe couplings which may be easily assembled and disassembled, and more particularly to separable and connectible sanitary couplings for separably joining the ends of pipe sections in a readily T and quickly connectible and separable manner.

The invention is readily applicable to various types of couplings, however, it is particularly Well adapted for use in joining the ends of pipe sections which must be frequently uncoupled for the purpose of cleaning and then recoupledfor further use as is the practice in connection with sanitary pipes used in conjunction kwith food processing equipment such as may be found in milk processing plants.

The removable sanitary pipe coupling of the present invention, due to its unique construction, facilitates the rapid assembling and disassembling of the connected pipes for the reason that the coupling element as yentirely removable from the ferruled ends of the pipe sections. Such an improved construction is readily distinguishable from the conventional pipe couplings used for coupling sanitary pipes in which the coupling element or coupling nut is not removable from the pipe sections.

The present invention also facilitates the more thorough and ready cleaning and inspection of all of the parts of the pipe coupling by virtue of the fact that all of the parts of the coupling arrangement are made readily accessible for cleaning and :inspection when the coupling is disassembled. .'Ihe complete disengageab-ility of the coupling element from the pipe sections alsopiaids in the fabrication of the ferruled pipe sections which are to be assembled to comprise a fluid conduit. Y

A conventional assembly of elements in a conventional sanitary pipe coupling comprises abutting ends of pipe Sections provided with, complementary male 'and female collarsl or ferrules adapted to be placed in registering and sealing engagement. The sealing and registering` engagement is normallycsecured and maintained byfan internally flanged and internally threaded coupling nut telescoped lonto one of the pipe ysections from which it cannot be removed. The coupling nut and the complementary collars or ferrules on the abutting ends of pipe sections enter into such cooperative relationship as to secure and maintain the .abutting ends4 of the pipe sections in registering and sealing relationengages a Acoi'nplementaryil'ange on the ferrule fio or colla/rat the end of a pipe section over which the nut is telescoped. The opposite end of the `coupling nut `engages screw threads on the outer vperiphery of the ferrule or collar of the other abutting pipe section. Obviously,- upon tightening the couplingnnut the complementary ferruled ends of the abutting pipe sections are brought into and retained in registering and sealing relationship.

The disadvantages of the conventional sanitary pipe coupling, as above described, reside in the necessity of telescopically assembling the coupling nut onto a length or sectionof pipe before the enlarged ferrule or collar is'welded or` otherwise fixed to the end Vof such a pipe section. The inability to remove such a coupling nut from the end oi such ta pipe section to enable the thorough cleaning and inspection of the coupling members after thus being assembled upon a pipe section is a further disadvantage of the conventional coupling arrangement.

The assembling and cleaning disadvantages of the conventional sanitary pipe coupling, 'as just enumerated, are especially serious when considered with respect to a short length of pipeI or pipe section in which it is very diiiicult',v if not impossible, to move the entrapped coupling nut a sufficient distance from the end of the pipe section to permit the ready aixing ofthe enlarged fer-rule to the end of the pipe section or to permit the subsequent ready cleaning and inspection of the interior of the coupling nut and the eX- 'terior of the ferruled end ofthe pipe section after thev ferrules and coupling nut have been assembled on'a pipe section.

Some of the above difficulties could readilybe eliminated by the use of a sectional orsplit type of coupling nut. Such sectional or split type 'of coupling nut is readily removable Vfrom a pipe section. The sectional coupling nut, however, entails certain oisetting disadvantages which relate to the diculties of fabricating the same and the additional diiiiculties of couplingv the ends of pipe section with a sectional or split type of coupling nut. The increased cost'of manufacture and the increased difiiculties of assembly,l as well asv theinherent weaknesses due to structural characteristics, are several of the disadvantages cf such a sectional or split type 0f `coupling nut. p

It is, therefore,V the prime objective of the present invention to provide agcoupling nut, or sleeve for coupling'pipe sections and the like in which the unitary coupling nut may be easily and readily Vremoved from the 'ferruled ends of the joined pipe sections without removing the ferrules from the pipe sections; in which the `fabrication of a pipe section having ierruled ends,

assembled order; in which the improved coupling` nut comprises a unitary construction of, sub-A stantially the same strength as the conventionalcoupling nut; in which the-improved coupling nut is readily interchangeable with the conventional coupling nut for coupling .the -ferruled ends of pipe sections normally adapted to be.

coupled by the same size oi conventional coupling v nut in which .the coupling `nut -is provided `with.gzrer-ifpheral, gripping surfacesvof the 'same number .and sizefas `these :providedron fthe conventional .ftype -ofconplingnutsg. and in which the improvedco'uplingnut, 'which fis laterally removable 'from-,the ferruledfendfs of a pipe section, is provided withA means for hanging the coupling nut on :the z -ferruled end of -a .pipe section substantially in assemblable position.

.These fandrother objectives and'advantages of the presentzffinvention which will become. more Vapparent zasthe nature rolf-'the invention is vbetter understoodare preferably accomplished according tol the .illustrations -of the y,preferred embodimentfof the invention ina removable-sanitary pipe v:coupling:as lshown in .the accompanying drawing.l The 'organization, and vmethods of -.op eration will-best be understood from the following descrptionof the preferred-.embodiments of the. 4present,invention when Vread in connection with the ,accompanying drawing in which:

Figure A1-isyaperspective .viewoi an internally threaded coupling nut showing the improved and novel` feature fof my invention in the preferred embodiment-thereof.

Figure 2 isa yside elevation, partiallyin `section, of the improved coupling nut shown in Figure- 1 together with the fer-ruled -male rend of `a pipe section assembled inA4 operative position therein. l

yFigure 3 is -a--perspective-view showing the improved coupling --nut of the preferred lembodiment -as yshow-n in Figure lupar-tially assembled upon the ferruled male end-of a pipesection,

Figure 4 is a perspective view ofoa Inodied embodiment of the invention similar to the view vshowni-n Figure 1. .Y Y.

Figure-5 is alongitudinal sectiontaken through an entirelyv assembled-coupling unit using ya coupling-nut ofthefmodi-iied type as shown perspectively Figure-4. Y

Figure 6.,.is -alongitudinal view, partiallyin ysection `and.partially in. elevation, of a -partially assembled coupling.` unit usinga coupling nut of the modiedtype as .shown perspectively in Figure,4..U y A f vReferring .to the iigures showing the ,preferred embodiment vof the invention, like numerals being used -to ,identify .likeelements IU represents the shell of an imperiorate heXagon-shaped coupling j nut er elementhaving inwardly extending screw threads I Iat one end of the .normal inner vcylinvdrical periphery .I.2 of the coupling nut and a 'sectional .arcuate inwardly extending flange I3 yat .the opposite end of the inner cylindrical pe- `arcuate flange 4I 3.

riphery I2. The arcuate ilange I3 is provided on its outer surface throughout its entire length with an inwardly beveled face Ill. The arcuate ange I3 extends through an arc of a circle in excess of a semi-circle.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the arcuate flange I3 extends through approximately 210 degrees of an arc of a circle. Opposite recesses I5 are provided at both ends of the ange I3 in the inner cylindrical periphery I2 of the coupling element or shell d and are accordingly positioned to one side of a longitudinal axial plane of the coupling element. The

outer walls v I6 of the recesses I5 are defined by flat faces parallel to a diametral plane of the shell I-Il, whichgplane ybisects the arcuate iiange I3. The upper walls l1 of the recesses I5 are ysubstantiallyparallel to the lower walls I8 of the opposed recesses I5. The walls I'I and I8 are "at an angle-t0 the plane of the end of the .couplingsleeve or shell I3 andare inclined .away .from-thearcuate flan-ge I3. The-lcwer-walls Ill ofthe-opposed recesses i5 Ideiinethe ends of the Theplaneoi .the walls l1 and .the .plane of the walls I8 would form substantially equalangles ,with a diametral plane of the shell I0., 90.6.egrees removed frornthe previously vreferred to-diametral plane ofthe shell Il? which wouldbisect the .arcuate ,flange I3.

.In theirnproved .coupling nut or coupling element, ,the parallel outer..walls I6 of the opposed recesses I5 Vare spaced .apart ,slightly in excess of, the .outer diameter ofthe outwardly extending male .flange .I3 on the ferrule .25 welded or otherwise aflixed to the end .of the pipe section 2I. The iiange I9 is provided with anoutwardly beveled centering and sealing 4front face 22 and, a flat .rear face 23 perpendicular -to the axis of the ferruleZD and the pipe section 2l, The rear face 2,3 of the flange I9 is adapted. to engage a complementaryinner flat face 24 of the arcuate ilangelS in the `coupling ynut or sleeve I3.

As clearlyslfiown in Figure 3.,.the upper walls II of the Vopposed ,recesses I5 are spaced from the lower. walls I8of .these recesses I5 a sufficient distance to permit the inward and downward passage therethrough of the liange .I9 when the rear -face 23 of the ange I9 is .parallel y.to the lower `wallslof the opposed recesses. I5 and in sliding Acontact, therewith. Theiiange I9, when in position within therecesses I5, ,as just described, .in 0r-der toghe placed in coupling position within the coupling nut I0 is moved inwardly and downwardly while being pivoted about an axis passing through the liney of contact between the rear face A2.3 of the flange I9 and the lower walls IB ofthe opposed recesses I5. Such inward and downward pivotalmovement is continued until the entire ange I9 is embraced by the inner cylindrical peripheral wall I2 of the coupling sleeve I. When v`the ferrule 20 on .the end of the pipe section 2| has been moved in couplingposition, the reardiace 23 .of theiiange I9 on the ferrule 2S will engage .the complementary inner face .24 0i the arcuate ange I3.

The maximum dimension between 4the inner cylindrical periphery I2 of the shell or coupling sleeve'IU and the inner arcuatesurface of the arcuate ange I3 must always be in excess `of the outer diameter of the lferrule 2li plus the radial Width of the flange I9. n

The.l angle of the beveled face I4 of the arcuate ilange I3 with respect to the plane of the correspondingend ofthe coupling sleeve IE), which Planeis perpendicular to the axis of the .sleeve I0, must be such asto accommodate the ferrule 20 when the flange "I9 is inserted inwardly into the recesses I5 and pivoted downwardly into coupling position as previously described and as illustrated in Figure 3. f

Figure 2 shows the ferruled end of the pipe section 2| in coupling position in the improved embodiment of the coupling nut-as illustrated in Figure 1. It is obvious, upon examining Figure 2, that the coupling engagementbetween the annular flange I9 on the ferrule 20 and the sectional arcuate ilange |3 on 'theinner cylindrical surface I2 of the coupling'sleeve I9 is'in excess of 180 degrees. The preferred'embodiment, as illustrated, discloses such engagement to be through an arc of approximately 210 degrees of acircle.

The upper portion of the flange`I9, `as shownin the drawing, is not engaged by a compression flange within the coupling sleeve |0 to urge it toward centering and sealing `position'with'the complementary pipe section 25 which is provided with a complementary female'lend lferrule'ZI having outer peripheral screw `threads 21; The screw threads 21 are adapted to engage the inner peripheral screw threads IIv of the coupling nut or rsleeve I. An inwardly beleved female face 28 of the ferrule -26 isadapted to centeringly and sealingly engage the complementary outwardly beveled male face 22 on v'the'flange-'I9f The `above described improved laterally removable type of sanitary "pipe coupling nut or sleeve permits the ready placement and removal'thereof upon and from the ferruled end of a pipe section, the placement and removal thereof upon and from the ferruled end of `a pipe section being accomplished by the lateral movement of the nut over the male ferrule. f

A coupling nut of the improved type embodying the present invention retains all the outer peripheral wall and peripheral gripping faces which facilitate the easy handling vof the improved coupling nutwhen joining the coupling`v elements of a pipe coupling. The construction, as disclosed in the drawing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, alsoA provides for the necessary strength of thecoupling elements. Obviously, a coupling nut of the type embodying the present invention facilitates the ready cleaning and inspection of the coupling nut both on the the interior and exterior surfacesthereof, as well as the ready cleaning and in'spectionof the outer surfaces of the ferruled ends of the pipe sections. This is possible even in cramped quarters due to the removability of the coupling nut from the pipe sections and the ferruled end thereof.

The same removable feature of the present improved coupling nut also facilitates the fabrication of the ferruled pipe sections by avoiding the necessity of first placing the coupling nut on the pipe sections before the ferrule ends are welded to the ends of the pipe sections, as is the conventional practice in the assembly of pipe sections, ferrules and coupling nuts adapted for the conventional type of sanitary pipe coupling.

In Figure 4 is shown a modification of the present invention in which a sectional arcuate flange 29 is provided along the inner cylindrical periphery I2 of the coupling sleeve IIJ between the upper walls |'I of the opposed recesses I5. The sectional arcuate flange 29 is in the same plane with the sectional arcuate flange I3 and is in opposed position with respect thereto. The

flanges 29. and .I3 areV of equal vthickness and the flange 29 is provided with an inwardly beveled face 3U complementary to the beveled face I4 of the flange I3. The flange 29'is also provided with an inner fiat face 3| complementary to the inner face 24 of the flange I3. The arcuate ange 29 is, however, of substantially less radial depth than the arcuate flange I3, the flange 29 being only of sufficient radial depth to permit the engagement of the upper edge of the flange I9 on the ferrule 20 with the inner face 3| thereof, as shown in Figure 6, whereby the coupling nut or sleeve I9 may be supported in substantial coupling position upon the ferruled end of the pipe section 2|. Obviously, the internally threaded coupling sleeve I0 may also `be supported upon the threaded ferrule 26 on which the coupling nut or sleeve I9 is carried when in coupling position.

As clearly shown in Figure 5, the flange 29 is not of sufficient radial depth to overlap the fiangeIS when the coupling members areassembled. The maximum dimension between the inner peripheries of the flanges |3"and 29 must be sufficient to permit the insertion of the flange I9 into'the opposed recesses I5 and the pivotal inwardand downward' movement thereof Vinto coupling position, as previously described with respect to the same vinward and' downward pivotal movement of the flanged ferrule 29 for the purpose of moving the'ferrule 20 into'coupling position Withinthe preferred embodiment of the coupling nut as depicted in'Figures 2 and 3.

The modified embodiment of the present invention as just described and as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 provides an additional advantage over` the'preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Figuresl, 2 and 3 and as first describedY in this application." In the modified embodiment of thepresent invention the additional internal sectional arcuate flange `29 in the coupling nut or sleeve permits the ready suspension or support of the coupling nut upon the unthreaded or male ferruled end of the pipe section 2|.v

Although the invention has been primarily described in its preferred embodiment and a modied improvement thereof, various modifications of the invention may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is', however, not to be restricted except in so far as necessitated by the prior art and the spirit of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. In separable pipe coupling, male and f lmale p'pc sections having round circular complementary juxtaposed ends adapted for abutting engagement,r and an imperforate-walled Vcoupling sleeve adapted to be disengageably carried on one o1" said sections and having means to overlap the entire juxtaposed end of the other of said pipe sectionssaid last mentioned means having a cutout portion to receive the complementary end on the other of saidpipe sections when tilted with respect to said sleeve.

2. An imperforate-walled coupling sleeve of the character described having a cylindrical inner peripheral wall and having at one end of its inner periphery an internal arcuate sectional inwardly directed flange extending through the major portion of a circle and two opposed recesses positioned at the opposite ends of said internal flange and to one side of a longitudinal axial plane of said sleeve.

3. An imperforate-walled coupling nut of the type described including.; an` internalV sectional arcuate flange extending through the maior porn tionof a circle, and opposed recesses in the inner periphery of said nut deiining the ends of said arcuate flange, said` recesses being positioned to one side .of a longitudinal axial plane of said coupling nut and bein-g deined by upper and lower Walls inclined to the plane oi the adjacent end of said coupling nut.

4. In a separable pipe coupling, male and female pipe elements having` complementary ferruled ends adapted for abutting engagement, a cylindrical coupling sleeve having circular end races and adapted to be rdisengageably carried on one of said elements, and transversely and inwardly extending internal sectional flange means carried by said sleeve and engagingly overlapping an out wardly turned ange on the other of said ele ments, said ila-nge means carried by said sleeve extending through at least 180 degrees of an arc of a circle, said sleeve having opposed internal recesses adjacent the ends of said sectional ange to receive the ferruled end of the other or said pipe elements.

5. A coupling element oi the type described lor coupling abutting male and female ferruled ends of pipe sections, a coupling nut having an imperforate cylindrical wall disengageably carried on the ferruled female end of one of said pipe sections, said coupling nut having an inwardly directed internal sectional arcuate flange at one end for overlapping and engaging the ierruled inale element of the other of said pipe sections, and opposed recesses in the inner cylindrical imperforate Wall of said coupling nut at the ends of said arcuate flange for receiving said terruled male element when tilted with respect to the plane of the end of said coupling nut,

6. In a separable pipe coupling, male and female pipe elements having complementary errued ends in abutting relation. an imperfcrate tubular coupling sleeve having circular end faces disengageably carried on one of said elemente, and transversely and inwardly extending internal arcuate iiange means on the inner periphery of said sleeve at one end thereof and entirely overlapped by said imperforate sleeve and engagingly overlapping a portion of an outwardly turned sectional flange on the other of said elements, one section of said flange means carried by said sleeve extending through an arc of a circle in excess 01"' 180 degrees but less than 356 degrees, said sleeve having opposed internal recesses to receive the ferruled end of the other of said pipe elements.

'7. In a separable pipe coupling, male and female pipe elements having complementary ferruled ends in abutting relation, a tubular imperforate coupling sleeve having circular end faces disengageably carried on one of said ferruled pipe elements, and @transversely and inwardly lextending internal arcuate sectional lian-ge means 'on the inner periphery of said sleeve `at one end thereof and entirely overlapped by the wall of said sleeve and engagingly overlapping a portion of an outwardly turned flangeron the other oi said ferruled pipe elements, said flange means carried by said sleeve extending 'through an arc of a circle in excess of 180 degrees, said sleeve having opposed internal recesses entirely overlapped by said imperforate sleeve to receive the ferruled end of the otherof said pipe elements and completely encompassing the ferruled'ends of said pipe elements when coupled together. v

8. A separable pipe coupling comprising, in combination, iirst and second pipe sections having complementary ferruled ends in registering and sealing relation, coupling means carried on the ferruled end of the rst pipesection and having an inner cylindrical periphery, said coupling means cooperating withv the ferruled ends of both of said pipe sections to move them into sealing and registering engagement, an Vouter peripheral flange on the ferruled end of the second pipe; section, and a ksectional arcuate ilanC-'e on said inner cylindrical periphery of said coupling means, said inner cylindrical periphery being of such a diameter that 'the greatest dimension between said periphery and said arcuate flange is in excess of the outer diameter of the ierrulcd end of said second pipe section plus the radial width of the outer peripheral flange thereon.

9. yIn a pipe coupling, first and second pipe sections, an outwardly threaded ferrule on the end of said first pipe section having an inwardly beveled end face, an exteriorly flanged ferrule on the end of said second pipe .section having an outwardly beveled end face complementary to said inwardly beveled end face; an imperiorato walled coupling nut having internal threads at one end engaging the threads on the ferrule on said rst pipe section and having an internal sec tional arcuate ange completely overlapped by theirnperforate wall of said coupling nut at its opposite end and overlappingly -engaging the flange on the ferruled end of said second pipe section, said coupling nut having an imperforate internal cylindrical surface, and opposed recesses in said cylindrical surface. at the ends of said arcuate flange, whereby upon unscrewing said coupling `nut from the ferrule on said first pipe section said coupling nut may be tilted with respect to the plane of the flange on the ferruled end of said second pipe section so that said ierruled end may be withdrawn from said coupling nut by passing said iiange through said opposed recesses.

HAROLD W. CHENEY. 

